Arm Yourself Against the Great Fire Ball

What you put ON your skin is just as important as what you put IN it. With so many sunscreens to choose from, and so many containing toxic chemicals, choosing the right one can be confusing.

Firstly, let’s discuss what exactly you are protecting yourself from in the first place?

Solar Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is invisible energy produced by the sun and made up of UVA, UVB and UVC. Most UVC is absorbed by the Ozone Layer as it hits. Unfortunately both UVA and UVB can penetrate that layer to reach the earth’s surface and damage human skin. Sunburn or even a suntan is a clear sign that your skin has been harmed by UVR! Every time this damage occurs will increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

How do you protect your skin from sun damage?

Those of us old enough to will clearly remember the Australian slip slop slap campaign from 1981. Sid the seagull slid across our screens warning of the dangers of the sun and encouraging us all to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. Today’s campaign now includes SEEKING shade and SLIDING on sunglasses. However, many people still rely on sunscreen as their main form of sun defence…and the higher the SPF, the better right? Wrong.

What is SPF exactly?

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is the measurement given to the degree of protection a product provides against the sun’s UVB rays. Choosing a sunscreen based on the SPF factor alone is risky. In fact, a higher listed SPF just means there are more chemicals in the product, and more chemicals absorbing into skin and bloodstream. An SPF of 30 will filter 97% of UVB rays, SPF 50 will filter 98% of rays and SPF 100 will filter 99% of rays. That’s only 2% difference afforded for slapping more than double the amount of sunscreen chemicals on your precious skin.

Do your own research!

When choosing a sunscreen, make sure you know all your facts. Our sunscreens are made with natural sunscreen ingredients. They still offer SPF 30 protection and are broad spectrum. They protect skin with a physical barrier, rather than a chemical barrier (see comparison table). They’re also vegetarian and reef friendly!

We use all natural sunscreen ingredients for sun care. This includes natural zinc oxide to create a physical barrier on the skin that doesn’t penetrate into the blood stream. We have also added Rose Hip, Vitamin E and Green tea for nourishment and moisture. This luxurious lotion formula rubs in easily and clearly and leaves skin soft, protected and hydrated.

At Eco Tan and Eco by Sonya Driver we are beyond passionate in our sun safety crusade. Our own founder, Sonya Driver, was a self-confessed sun-worshipper in her youth and has had several skin cancer scares in the past and, more recently, she paid a hefty price when she had a Basil Cell Carcenoma removed from her face. Sonya learnt to slip, slop, slap the hard way and is determined that you don’t do the same.